Preparing Science Teachers through Mixed-Reality Simulations to Enhance the Access and Engagement of Multilingual Learners in Scientific Argumentation
Dr. Mariana Castro is creating, testing, and implementing mixed-simulations to improve the quality of 4–12 grade level science education for multilingual learners, with the goal of broadening their participation in STEM fields both in school and as adults. The study also aims to explore the impact of technology-based simulations in training pre-service science teachers to work with multilingual learners.
Pre-service teachers at participating sites seeking licensure in elementary or science education and/or ESL at UW La Crosse, UW Green Bay, UW Madison, and UW Whitewater are invited to participate. All study activities will be conducted online via Zoom.
What are mixed-reality simulations? They are virtual environment that combine real-world and digital elements, designed to offer immersive and interactive training or learning experiences. In this project, the virtual environment is a classroom with five students, two of whom are multilingual learners.
Participation Requirements:
- Surveys: Participants will complete brief online surveys before and after each simulation, including a demographic section in the first survey. Each survey will take 8-10 minutes.
- Mixed-Reality Simulations: Participants will join two simulation cycles via Zoom rooms replicating science classrooms. They will interact with avatar students in science argumentation scenarios, using materials provided beforehand for preparation. Each simulation will last approximately 20 minutes and will be video recorded with transcription.
- Coaching Meetings: Following each simulation, participants will attend a 30-minute coaching meeting, which will also be video recorded and transcribed.
The total time commitment for the study is approximately 2 hours.
Confidentiality and Data Security:
Video and audio recordings of participation, along with transcriptions, will be securely stored and accessible only to approved personnel until 2034, after which they will be destroyed. Participant confidentiality will be ensured by de-identifying data, using a crosswalk for names and study identifiers stored separately from other data. All data will be securely stored in a password-protected system according to campus policy.
Compensation:
Participants will receive $50 after completing the first simulation cycle (i.e., surveys, simulation session, and coaching meeting). An additional $50 will be provided upon completing the second simulation cycle, bringing the total compensation to $100 for full participation.
More questions? Connect with Dr. Castro at mcastro@wisc.edu
This project is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Grant Number 2321205